My vineyard and wine philosophies will become clear over the course of these entries, but I stress that at my core I have a passion for what I do. This passion is anchored in the same sense of place that I hope to share in my wines.
For those interested in a similar path, I caution that at different times this passion has led to: tears, vinegar, “tractor ear” or selective hearing, the love of diesel fumes, a strange desire to talk to grapevines, the ability to hum the Weather Network theme, and occasional doubts of sanity. Most disturbingly, however, growing up on a grape farm has left me scarred for life with a chronic case of separation anxiety. My first failed attempt to leave the vineyard was four blurry years at the University of Guelph spent grinding out an honours degree in Microbiology. Over that time I became enamoured with yeast and fermentation dynamics, skills that would later come in handy as I ended up back home (surprise) completing a Masters degree in Viticulture at Brock University.
A second attempt at leaving home brought me to the “sunny” shores of Wolfville, Nova Scotia to run a small winery called Blomidon Estate. It was an amazing experience that thrust me into the challenging world of marketing and selling wine, while at the same time allowing me to hone my fledgling winemaking skills. After three rewarding vintages, I knew the time was right to return home to good old St. Davids and get to work on my new wine vision.
I relish the opportunity to finally craft wines from our own fruit. The goal is to let these wines give you a sense of place by showcasing our unique St. David’s Bench terroir. Individual varietals will be the focus: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. That way I can really capture the subtle characters of each variety, and provide those interested with an appellation education in every bottle.